Apparently the only known photo….

Tonight at city council, we made our initial presentation to help create support for the marker we want to have placed to honor the memory of those killed by the P-38 fighter on the beach near Newland/PCH in June of 1943. As I explained, we’re asking for something on the pier, facing toward the crash site, because it’s where most of the witnesses were, it’s where the first responder life guards left from, and there’s certainly a chance to reach more people with the story. To the Silva and Borrego family members in attendance, thank you. Maria Young, your words on behalf of your mom Vera were stunning.

Maria also shared something haunting–what appears to be the only photo of the impact, just moments after it occurred. There were many tourists taking photos on the beach that day, but military officers on the scene confiscated all cameras they saw, for security purposes. This image, taken just after impact, found it’s way into the newspapers.

Will keep you posted as to what we hear on the status of the marker/memorial. Thanks for all the interest on this.